For January 2012, the theme for the stories to be shared around the fire is ‘Risk’.

The beginning of the year is a time that is traditionally known for people setting New Year resolutions, plans or goals. For many these well-intended dreams vanish, even before the first month of the year is over. The main reason this happens is in the lack of courage to follow through on taking a risk; or put another way, the fear of taking a risk.

Yes, pursuing the life that we desire and have always imagined involves taking a risk. We need to tap into that place of inner courage, so that those dreams do not simply vanish. If we are not prepared to take that risk, then we will find that we are constantly hiding our authentic self, and not stepping into the life that is waiting for us.

It is indeed a risk to leave the known and journey into the unfamiliar. This is an invitation facing each one of us in our daily moments –

The risk of leaving an unsatisfying job

The risk of holding onto a friendship that is no longer nurturing

The risk of coming out to a family member, whom we know is most likely to reject us

The risk of pursuing an emotionally intimate relationship

The risk of staying in a relationship that we know is no longer satisfying…… the list goes on…

Fact of the matter is, staying is a risk and leaving is a risk. Taking a risk is not a passive activity and there is no absolute guarantee that our action will give us the result that we desire. And yet, the profound aspect of taking the risk is that deep knowing that our action, regardless of the outcome, will take us towards our true essence; our innermost authentic self.

I love this quote by Osho, which encapsulates the essence of taking a risk:

Do you think the people who were trying to reach to the Everest were not full of doubts? For a hundred years, how many people tried and how many people lost their lives? Do you know how many people never came back? But, still, people come from all over the world, risking, knowing they may never return. For them it is worth it – because in the very risk something is born inside of them: the center. It is born only in the risk. That’s the beauty of risk, the gift of risk.

So this month, let us share our stories of the risks we have taken in the past – risks taken in the hope that it was leading towards an authentic life – What happened? What was learnt? Even if the risk did not give you the results you had hoped, do still share the story, there is always something to be learnt in the telling or hearing of each others stories. Or maybe, a story of a risk you hope to take this year – What risk would that be? What is the intention behind the risk? What do you hope to learn?

What story within you about ‘risk’ is crying to be shared? All stories are welcome. To share it, send your email to outtales@yahoo.com.

Courage is not the absence of fear but rather acknowledging the fear and acting anyway. This year I am taking on risk in a holistic and spiritual way. Taking a risk to fall truly madly deeply in love and know there is someone there to catch me, taking the risk to go back to school for something I have procrastinated about for about 2 years, taking the risk to write more, respond, reply and comment more, and create more affirmative worlds with words.